Don't forget, this Saturday will see the official opening of The Field of Dreams, located on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa.

A special dedication ceremony will take place during the festivities, which are expected to last from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 1. Various sports games are planned for the 1,200 local children who, along with their parents, are expected to attend the event.

Among the dignitaries who are expected to attend are Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto.

In addition, former NFL stars Marty Lyons of the New York Jets, Gary Baldinger of the Philadelphia Eagles and Joe Morris of the New York Giants, will also be on hand.

The $6.5 million multi-sports field will host scheduled football, basketball, lacrosse and soccer home games for some 15,000 local youths.

Among the amenities it will provide include numerous athletic facilities, a basketball court, two playgrounds, a concession stand, and parking.

As reported in last week's issue of The Massapequan Observer, the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce was the driving force behind the building of Field of Dreams.

Nassau County, which previously owned the property, was going to sell it off as surplus land to a commercial developer.

Local residents discovered the deal and the opposition began to take shape, mainly in the form of a coalition that included youth sports advocates, civic organization heads, business leaders and school officials. In time, they were able to bring Town Supervisor Venditto around to their side and the momentum for building an athletic complex proved unstoppable.

"There were proposals to develop the land, but none went forward," Supervisor Venditto recalled. "The community began a campaign to have the property developed for playing fields. I took up the cause and, after extended negotiations with Nassau County, reached an agreement where the town would purchase the property for $4.7 million and take over 9.8 land miles of county road."